Third time lucky for Arsenal in transfer pursuit?

Jamie Sanderson from Metro has Arsenal fans sitting up with interest in the Football Transfer Tavern this evening.

The hack suggests that Hamburg keeper Rene Adler could join Arsenal in January after revealing that he has twice turned down Arsene Wenger in the past.

The 28-year-old German international has been a long-term target for the Emirates Stadium club and speculation picked up last season after he enjoyed a superb season with Hamburg.

Now Adler has spoken out about the rumours as he admitted that he previously rejected the chance to join the North London club, while Sanderson insists that he has now hinted about a switch when the January transfer window opens.

“When I was 15 there was the opportunity to move to Arsenal, but I decided to go to Leverkusen to get a professional contract there,” he explained.

“There was also contact after the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. I played against Lionel Messi and some other big names and there was contact with Arsenal.

“I’d like to play in England in the future. You can’t say never in football.

“Football in England is some kind of religion. The fans, the culture behind the big clubs is very interesting.

“It’s a big honour for me if a club like Arsenal are interested in me.”

Adler is looking to aid his international chances ahead of the World Cup in Brazil and could be available for around £4 million as Wenger seeks a solid option to compete with Wojciech Szczesny with question marks regarding Lukasz Fabianski’s and Emiliano Viviano’s credentials.

Do the Gunners really need a new stopper and does Adler fit the bill? Let us know your thoughts below.